System for retrieving and printing network documents

ABSTRACT

A method for providing print-by-reference functionality includes providing a web page from a printer&#39;s embedded web server to a web browser, receiving a URL entered into the provided web page, retrieving a printable document corresponding to the URL, and printing the retrieved document.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems for printing documents andelectronic mail located on the Internet or an intranet. In particular,the present invention concerns systems for printing using a UniversalResource Locator (URL) corresponding to a document or using electronicmailbox information corresponding to electronic mail.

2. Description of the Related Art

The Internet contains many documents available for downloading to auser's computer. To access these documents, a user activates a webbrowser application residing on the computer and browses the World WideWeb through selection of hyperlinks within accessed web pages and/or byinputting specific URLs into the web browser. Once a desired document isfound, the user selects the document and the document is downloaded tothe user's computer for printing.

Such documents are downloaded in a particular format, such as Adobe PDF,Adobe Postscript, Microsoft Word, or the like. In order to print thedownloaded document, the user opens the document in its associatedapplication and prints the document from the application.

Recently, Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) has been developed to providea system for printing by reference to a document's corresponding URL.Using IPP, a URL is delivered from an IPP client (usually executing onthe user's computer) to an IPP server (usually executing on a webserver). Next, the IPP server retrieves a document corresponding to thereceived URL and, if necessary, renders the document into an appropriateprinter format. The print-ready document is then delivered to a printerfor printing. One advantage of this print-by-reference functionality isthat a user can retrieve and print a document without having first toaccess the website in which the document exists.

One drawback of the foregoing IPP scheme is that both the user'scomputer and the web server require special IPP-enabling software toexecute the IPP client and IPP server, respectively. However, manydevices, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) have limitedprocessing power and application storage space, therefore the IPP schemeunacceptably consumes already scarce resources. Moreover, the IPP clientsoftware most likely includes an interface for inputting the URL andtherefore requires a user to learn an interface in addition to thosealready used by the user.

Another drawback of the foregoing systems for printing arises becausesome websites containing printable documents are only accessible usingcertain transfer protocols, such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP). As aresult, using the first system described above, a web browser searchingfor Internet/intranet-located documents must be FTP-enabled, that is,the browser must be able to communicate using the FTP protocol. Again,for devices having scarce memory, such a browser, which also supportsHypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), consumes more memory and computingpower than a browser supporting only one protocol.

Yet another drawback of the foregoing systems is that printabledocuments are often difficult to locate on Hypertext Markup Language(HTML) web pages browsed by a user, since many web pages containvisually distracting colors, images and animations.

Accordingly, what is needed is a system allowing print-by-referencefunctionality utilizing commonly-available software applications and asystem in which print-by-reference functionality can be used to printdocuments located on websites supporting a transfer protocol which isnot supported by a user's browser. In addition, what is needed is asystem in which printable documents on remote websites are presented toa user in an easily-understandable format.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing problems by providing aprinter web page into which a user enters information corresponding to anetwork document or to electronic mail. Then, upon receipt of theinformation, the corresponding job is retrieved and printed.Accordingly, the present invention provides print-by-referencefunctionality to a user using the user's web browser, and withoutrequiring special IPP software on the user's computer.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a web page to a userinto which the user enters a URL corresponding to a website. Notably,the transfer protocol used by the website is not supported by the user'sbrowser. A web page is created based on the contents of the website, theweb page including a link to a directory, a link to a document, or linksto a directory and a document. As a result, a user can browse websitesusing a transfer protocol which is not supported by the user's browser.Accordingly, since the web browser is not required to support thetransfer protocol of the website, a memory footprint of the browser canbe reduced. Moreover, using the created web page, a user can more easilylocate printable documents on the website.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a system inwhich a printer web page is provided to a web browser, a URL enteredinto the provided web page is received, the URL corresponding to awebsite having a transfer protocol not supported by the web browser, anda web page is created based on contents of the website, the web pageincluding a link to a directory, a link to a document, or links to adirectory and a document. If a link to a directory is selected, a newpage is created including a link to a subdirectory, a document or linkedto a subdirectory and a document.

By virtue of this aspect, a user can browse websites using a transferprotocol which is not supported by the user's browser. As mentionedabove, a memory footprint of the browser can be thereby reduced.Moreover, using the created web page, a user can easily locate printabledocuments on the website.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a system in whicha printer web page is provided, a URL is entered into the provided webpage, and a web page is created based on contents of the website, theweb page including hypertext links. A link is selected and a command isissued to access a directory corresponding to the link. If the commandfails, a document file is retrieved corresponding to the link. If thecommand is successful, a new web page is created including hypertextlinks.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the inventionmay be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of theinvention can be obtained by reference to the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outward view of a hardware configuration embodying thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a personal computer internal architecture.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a printer expansion boardaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a web server.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of computer-executable process steps to printan Internet-located document in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of a printer web page for use in conjunction with thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of a printer web page for use in conjunction with thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of computer-executable process steps to browseremote web sites for printable documents in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a view of a remote browsing printer web page for use inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view of a remote browsing printer web page for use inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view of a prior art web page displaying contents of a webserver.

FIG. 12 is the raw HTML of the image shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of computer-executable process steps toconstruct a server contents web page in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a view of HTML source code for a web page constructed usingthe FIG. 13 steps.

FIG. 15 is a view of a web page displayed by a web browser based on theFIG. 14 source code.

FIG. 16 is a view of a web page created in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a view of a remote browsing printer web page for use inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a list of files and directories stored on a server.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of computer-executable process steps toconstruct a server contents web page in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a view of HTML source code for a web page constructed usingthe FIG. 19 steps.

FIG. 21 is a view of a web page displayed by a web browser based on theFIG. 20 source code.

FIG. 22 is a view of a web page created in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of computer-executable process steps to printelectronic mail according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a view of a printer web page for use in printing electronicmail in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a view of HTML source code of a mail printing web pageaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a view of a mail printing web page as displayed by a webbrowser based on the FIG. 25 source code.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an outward view of a representative computing system utilizingthe present invention.

Computing equipment 1 is preferably an Intel® Pentium®-based computerexecuting a windowing operating system such as Microsoft Windows98®.Computing equipment 1 includes display 2 for displaying images to auser, keyboard 4 for entering text and commands into appropriate fieldsdisplayed on display 2, and pointing device 5, such as a mouse, forpointing to, selecting and manipulating objects displayed on display 2.

Fixed disk 6 stores data files and computer-executable process steps ofthe windowing operating system and of other applications and devicedrivers executed by computing equipment 1.

Floppy disk drive 7 provides an interface to computing equipment 1 forreading data from and writing data to a floppy disk inserted therein.Using floppy disk drive 7, computer-executable process steps and/or datafiles may be input to computing equipment 1 and stored on fixed disk 6.Computer-executable process steps and data files may also be retrievedover a network via network connection 9, and over telephone line 11,which connects to Internet 12. These files are transferred thereto byweb servers such as web server 14. Specifically, in response to arequest for data and/or web pages, server 14 collects the required data,properly formats the data, and sends the data over Internet 12 to a webbrowser application executing in computing equipment 1.

Computing equipment 1 can also upload data to Internet 12 via telephoneline 11. In this regard, computing equipment 1 may execute an electronicmail (e-mail) application to upload an e-mail message to Internet 12 foreventual delivery to an appropriate electronic mailbox.

Printer 13 is preferably a high-volume laser beam printer but may alsobe an inkjet, dot matrix or other type of printer. As will be discussedbelow, printer 13 is used to print documents and electronic mail locatedon Internet 12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the internal architecture of computingequipment 1. Shown in FIG. 2 is CPU 15, which, as described above, ispreferably a Pentium® processor. CPU 15 interfaces to computer bus 16,as does modem interface 17 for interfacing to telephone line 11, networkinterface 19 for interfacing to network connection 9 and displayinterface 21 for interfacing to display 2. Mouse interface 22, whichinterfaces to mouse 5, and keyboard interface 24, which interfaces tokeyboard 4, are also connected to bus 16. In this regard, interfaces 17to 24 allow computing equipment 1 to access the functionality of theircorresponding components.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is disk 6, having stored thereon the aforementionedwindowing operating system, and computer-executable process steps of aweb browser application, other applications, device drivers and datafiles.

Read only memory (ROM) 25 stores invariant computer-executable processsteps for basic system functions such as basic I/O, start-up, orreception of keystrokes from keyboard 4.

Random access memory (RAM) 26 provides CPU 15 with memory storage whichcan be accessed quickly. In this regard, computer-executable processsteps of a web browser or other application are transferred from disk 6over computer bus 16 to RAM 26 and executed therefrom by CPU 15.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of network expansion board 30 whichresides in printer 13. Included in board 30 are TCP/IP layer 31, whichreceives Internet Protocol (IP) packets from Internet 12, places them ina proper sequence, and parses data therefrom. TCP/IP layer 31 then shipsthe data to embedded web server 32, which is a Hypertext TransferProtocol (HTTP) server capable of acting on the received data. One suchaction is to create appropriate Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) pagesusing HTML forms module 33.

Pull-down Printing (PDP) module 35 contains computer-executable processsteps to retrieve a network document or electronic mail from Internet 12based on a URL or mailbox information received from server 32, and toformat the received data for display by a user's web browser. PDP module35 utilizes functions provided by function libraries HTTP 36, FTP 37,HTTPS 39 and POPS 40 in order to send requests and interpret responsesbased on these protocols. In this regard, PDP module 35 is directlyconnected to TCP/IP layer 31.

Expansion Protocol (XP) module 41 receives requests to print from PDPmodule 35 and sends the requests to printer controller 43 to completeprinting. In a preferred embodiment, board 30 includes functions andcomponents other than those shown in FIG. 3, such as components forinterpreting other network protocols and the like. It also should benoted that the components of FIG. 3 may also be located on a motherboardof printer 13.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of several relevant components internal toserver 14. Preferably, server 14 is connected to Internet 12 via anInternet connection (not shown), which may be a telephone line, a T1line, a local area network connection or the like. In a case that server14 connects directly to a local area network, the local area network ispreferably connected to a router, which, in turn, is connected toInternet 12. In such a configuration, the router includes firewallsoftware for prevention of unauthorized access to the local areanetwork. It should be noted that although FIG. 4 shows HTTP server 47and POP3 server 50 contained within the same server, namely, server 14,the POP3 server and the HTTP server are not required to be in the sameserver.

Data packets received over Internet 12 (IP packets) travel to TCP/IPlayer 46, which functions similarly to TCP/IP layer 31. In response toreceived IP packets, HTTP server 47 constructs web pages from HTMLtemplates and image files stored in file storage 49. Also stored in filestorage 49 are documents, either in a printable format or anotherformat, and Java applets, which are programs executable by a JavaVirtual Machine contained in a browser application.

Upon receiving IP packets following the POP3 protocol, TCP/IP layer 46parses the data therefrom and passes the data to POP3 server 50. POP3server 50 is also connected to post office 51, which is a datarepository storing data of electronic mailboxes. POP3 server 50 accessespost office 51 to respond to requests or instructions received by POP3server 50 by sending appropriate data to a requestor via TCP/IP layer46. Relevant details of the POP3 protocol will be discussed below.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of computer-executable process steps to printan Internet-located document according to the present invention. Theprocess steps are preferably embodied in network expansion board 30.

In step S501, embedded web server 32 receives a request for a printerweb page. The request is preferably provoked by entry of a URLcorresponding to server 32 into a browser application executing on auser's computing system such as computing system 1. After such entry,the request is routed through Internet 12 to server 32. In response tothe request, a printer web page is created using HTML forms 33 anddelivered to the user in step S502.

FIG. 6 shows printer web page 55 as displayed by a user's browser afterstep S502. As shown in the browser window, the URL corresponding to webserver 32 in the present instance is http://myneb/. Page 55 alsoincludes input area 56 for entering a URL of a network document to beprinted. In this regard, FIG. 7 shows page 55 after entry of a URLcorresponding to a network document.

After entry of the URL of a document in page 55, the URL is received byweb server 32 in step S504. Web server 32 includes process steps toroute data received along with a request for page 55 to PDP module 35.Therefore, PDP module 35 receives the URL and requests the documentcorresponding to the URL using functions of FTP library 37, since thereceived URL is an FTP site.

In response to the request from PDP module 35, the document is receivedin step S506. The document is then sent to printer controller 43 forprinting in step S507. Preferably, the document is received in aprint-rendered format in step S506. If not, printer controller 43 mustrender the document prior to printing.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of computer-executable process steps preferablyembodied in expansion board 30 to browse a remote web site for printabledocuments.

Flow begins at step S801, wherein web server 32 receives a request for aremote browsing web page due to a corresponding URL being entered into auser's browser application. Server 32 creates such a web page using HTMLforms 33 and delivers the page to the requesting browser in step S802.FIG. 9 shows remote browsing page 60 delivered in step S802. As alsoshown, the URL use to request page 60 is http://myneb/pdpbrowse.html.

A user then enters a URL into input area 61 of page 60 as shown in FIG.10. The URL is submitted to Internet 12 by selection of Submit icon 62.In step S804, the URL is received by server 32.

Diverting from the FIG. 8 flow, FIG. 11 shows contents of the web sitespecified by the URL entered into input area 61, as conventionallydisplayed by a web browser. In this regard, the URL was entered into URLinput area 65 of the web browser and the directory contents of the URLwere provided to the browser in the format shown in FIG. 11. The HTMLsource code corresponding to the FIG. 11 display is shown in FIG. 12.Considering FIG. 11, it can be seen that FIG. 11 contains much data notneeded by a user to select a document for printing. Moreover, selectingan underscored link shown in FIG. 11 would not result in printing of anassociated document.

Returning to FIG. 8, a Directory Open command is transmitted in stepS805 using the URL received in step S804. If the command is successful,flow continues from step S806 to step S807, wherein directory data suchas that shown in FIG. 12, which is received due to the Open Directorycommand, is converted into an HTML format according to the presentinvention in step S807.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flow diagram of computer-executable process stepsused in step S807 to convert directory data from an HTTP-based web siteinto an HTML format according to the present invention.

In step S1301, the HTML directory data is searched for the HTMLparameter “A”. If the parameter is not located, the FIG. 13 processsteps terminate. If so, flow continues to step S1302 to locate acorresponding “HREF” parameter. Considering the FIG. 12 example, thefirst qualifying parameter located during the FIG. 13 process correspondto the actual link “/big.ps” and the corresponding display big.ps.

After location of an HREF parameter in step S1302, the correspondingactual link and display information are parsed in step S1304. In theforegoing example, the parsed link is “/big.ps” and the displayinformation is big.ps. Next, in step S1305, a new HREF statement iscreated, using the format <A HREF=“pdpbrowse.html?target_url=(actuallink)”>display information </A>. In the present example, the statementcreated in step S1305 would read <AHREF=“pdpbrowse.html?target_url=http://146.184.23.16:80/big.ps”>big.ps</A>.Flow returns from step S1305 to step S1301 and continues as describedabove.

FIG. 14 shows HTML source code created by application of the FIG. 13process steps to the FIG. 12 source code in step S807. The page isdelivered in step S809. FIG. 15 shows remote browsing web page 70displayed by a browser based on the FIG. 14 source code. It should benoted that selection of a hyperlink displayed in FIG. 11 merely resultsin an attempt to open a directory having a name identical to thehyperlink. In contrast, selection of a link of page 70 results in atarget URL being passed in step S810 to remote browsing web page 60“pdpbrowse.html” as explained with respect to FIG. 10. As a result, flowreturns to step S805 to transmit an Open Directory command with respectto the new target URL.

Next, if the command is not successful, it is assumed that the targetURL corresponds to a document rather than a directory and submit page 80of FIG. 16 is delivered in step S811. Upon selection of the displayedlink, web page 55 of FIG. 6 is preferably passed the target URL.Therefore, as described above, web server 32 passes the target URL toPDP module 35 to retrieve a corresponding document in step S814 and toprint the document in step S815.

FIG. 17 shows remote browsing web page 60 having a URL of an FTP-enabledweb site entered into input area 61. The URL is received in step S804 ofFIG. 8 and flow proceeds as described above until step S807.

FIG. 18 shows a display of directory data from the FTP-enabled web sitecorresponding to the URL received in step S805. Since the FTP directorydata is in a format different from the HTTP directory data, processsteps different from those shown in FIG. 13 are needed to perform stepS807.

In this regard, FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of computer-executable processsteps to create a directory web page similar to that created by the FIG.13 process steps but in the case of an FTP-enabled web site. The processsteps are also preferably embodied in network expansion board 30. In thepresent example, the FIG. 19 process steps act on the FIG. 18 data.

Initially, in step S1901, the directory data is parsed to obtain a listof filenames therein. Next, in step S1902, a first filename isretrieved. A corresponding hyperlink statement is created in step S1904.The statement uses the following format: <A HREF=“pdpbrowse.html?target_url=ftp://username:password@ftp.microsoft.com/./filename</A>.

If more filenames exist, flow continues from step S1905 to step S1906 toobtain a next filename and a new statement is created in step S1904. Ifno more filenames exist at step S1905, the process steps terminate. FIG.20 shows HTML source code of a page created by applying the FIG. 19process steps to the FIG. 18 data. As described with respect to FIG. 8,the page is delivered in step S809 and thereafter displayed as shown inFIG. 21.

Upon selection of a link shown in FIG. 21, a target URL corresponding tothe link, as defined by the FIG. 20 source code, is passed to with theURL of “pdpbrowse.html” page 60 for browsing of a site corresponding tothe target URL. It should be noted that PDP module 35 determines whichprotocol to use when browsing a site by referring to the target URLpassed with the “pdpbrowse.html” URL. If the target URL does notcorrespond to a directory, a web page such as that shown in FIG. 22 isdelivered in step S811 and the FIG. 8 process steps continue asdescribed above.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of computer-executable process steps to printelectronic mail on a remote printer. The process steps are preferablyembodied in expansion board 30.

A request for a mail printing web page is received in step S2301, as aresult of a user entering an appropriate URL into a web browser. Inresponse, a mail printing web page such as page 90 of FIG. 24 isdelivered. As shown in FIG. 24, the appropriate URL corresponding topage 90 is http://myneb/pdppop3.html.

A user enters data into the fields shown on page 90 including a messagenumber 92 that the user wants to view or print, and submits the data byselecting submit icon 91. It should be noted that a message number 92 of0 indicates that the entire contents of the mailbox will be returned inbrowsable form, thus facilitating browsing of the mailbox. Once inbrowsing mode, the user can select a specific mail message and chose toview it or print it. The data is thereafter received in step S2304 bybeing passed as parameters to the “pdppop3.html” URL.

After reception of the data, a corresponding mailbox is accessed by PDPmodule 35 using the data and the POP3 protocol. Next, in step S2306, the“List” POP3 command is used to determine the number of messages in thecorresponding mailbox and the number is checked against the messagenumber received in step S2304. If the number of messages in the mailboxis less than the received number, an error web page is deliveredrequesting reentry of the message number to print. If not, flowcontinues to step S2307.

In step S2307, headers of the specified message(s) is/are retrieved. Ifa message number of 0 was selected by the user to enter browsing mode, aweb page is created in step S2309 to display the header data regardingthe retrieved messages. If however, the user entered a specific mailmessage number, then the selected mail message will be printed and stepsS2309 and S2310 are skipped. Source code for such a page is shown inFIG. 25. After the page is delivered, it is displayed on the user'sbrowser as shown in FIG. 26. If a “Print this message” link is selected,a print command is received in step S2310. In response, PDP module 35retrieves the corresponding message and delivers the message to printercontroller 43 for printing in step S2311.

In an alternative embodiment, a user can use remote browsing page 60 torequest printing of electronic mail. In this embodiment, a user enters aURL such as “pop3://user:password@mailserver/message number” to specifythe data requested by web page 90. Then, when the URL is passed as atarget_url parameter to the URL of page 60, PDP module 35 parses thenecessary data from the target_url and flow continues from step S2305 asdescribed above. One drawback to the foregoing embodiment is that thepassword data would be visible upon entry into page 60.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to whatare currently considered to be its preferred embodiments, the inventionshould not be deemed to be limited thereto. Rather, the invention isintended to encompass all equivalent and obvious modifications andembodiments contained within the scope and spirit of the appendedclaims.

1.-30. (canceled)
 31. A printer comprising: a web server constructed togenerate display data for displaying a web page; a receiving unitconstructed to receive, from an external apparatus, a transmissionrequest of a web page for designating a document to be printed by theprinter; and a printing unit constructed to print a document, whereinthe web server generates the display data for displaying the web page,the web page being for allowing a user to designate the document to beprinted by the printer and for indicating a list of identificationinformation corresponding to each of a plurality of documents havingdifferent formats, and provides the generated display data to theexternal apparatus in accordance with the transmission request receivedby the receiving unit, and the printing unit prints a documentidentified by identification information designated, by the user, fromthe list of the identification information indicated by the web pagedisplayed on the external apparatus, based on the display data.
 32. Theprinter according to claim 31, further comprising an acquiring unitconstructed to acquire, via a network, the document identified by theidentification information designated, by the user, from the list of theidentification information indicated by the web page displayed on theexternal apparatus, based on the display data, wherein the printing unitprints the document acquired by the acquiring unit.
 33. The printeraccording to claim 31, wherein the display data is formed in an HTMLformat or in an XML format, and is to be displayed on a web browser ofthe external apparatus.
 34. The printer according to claim 31, whereinthe identification information includes a URL.
 35. A network interfaceapparatus to be mounted on a printer and for connecting the printer to anetwork, the network interface apparatus comprising: a web serverconstructed to generate display data for displaying a web page; areceiving unit constructed to receive, from an external apparatus, atransmission request of a web page for designating a document to beprinted by the printer; and an outputting unit constructed to output thedocument to the printer, wherein the web server generates display datafor displaying the web page, the web page being for allowing a user todesignate a document to be printed by the printer and for indicating alist of identification information corresponding to each of a pluralityof documents having different formats, and provides the generateddisplay data for the external apparatus in accordance with thetransmission request received by the receiving unit, and the output unitoutputs the document identified by identification informationdesignated, by the user, from the list of the identification informationindicated by a web page displayed on the external apparatus, based onthe display data.
 36. A printing method executed by a printer,comprising the steps of: generating, by a web server of the printer,display data for displaying a web page; receiving, from an externalapparatus, a transmission request of a web page for designating adocument to be printed by the printer; and printing a document, whereinthe web server generates display data for displaying the web page, theweb page being for allowing a user to designate a document to be printedby the printer and for indicating a list of identification informationcorresponding to each of a plurality of documents having differentformats, and provides the generated display data for the externalapparatus in accordance with the transmission request received in thereceiving step, and the printer prints a document identified byidentification information designated, by the user, from the list of theidentification information indicated by the web page displayed on theexternal apparatus, based on the display data.
 37. A computer-readablememory medium having computer-executable process steps stored thereon,wherein said process steps execute a printing method for a printercomprising: generating, by a web server of the printer, display data fordisplaying a web page; receiving, from an external apparatus, atransmission request of a web page for designating a document to beprinted by the printer; and printing a document, wherein the web servergenerates display data for displaying the web page, the web page beingfor allowing a user to designate a document to be printed by the printerand for indicating a list of identification information corresponding toeach of a plurality of documents having different formats, and providesthe generated display data for the external apparatus in accordance withthe transmission request received in the receiving step, and the printerprints a document identified by identification information designated,by the user, from the list of the identification information indicatedby the web page displayed on the external apparatus, based on thedisplay data.